• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.295-306
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• 2009

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary calcium (Ca) and vitamin $D_3$ metabolite on eggshell quality and hatching egg production in aged egg-type breeder hens. A total of five hundred and forty 60-week-old Hy-Line Brown breeder hens were randomly allocated to nine treatments in a $3\times3$ factorial design to determine the effects of dietary Ca levels (3.3, 3.9, and 4.5%), combined with three levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-$(OH)D_3$ 0, 75, and $150{\mu}g/kg$], on eggshell quality and egg production for 10 weeks. There were significant Ca and 25-$(OH)D_3$ effects (P<0.01) on egg production rate. There was a linear (P<0.01) increase in eggshell strength and thickness with increasing dietary Ca and 25-$(OH)D_3$ levels. Dietary 25-$(OH)D_3$ had a significant effect (P<0.05) on hatchability of egg although fertility was not influenced by dietarylevels of Ca and 25-$(OH)D_3$. Dietary Ca levels affected Ca content in tibia (P<0.05). These results indicated that relatively high levels of dietary Ca in combination with 25-$(OH)D_3$ had a beneficial effect on improving eggshell quality and reproductive performance in aged egg-type breeder hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.828-833
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• 2017

Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different methionine (Met) sources on production performance, reproduction performance, egg quality and serum biochemical indices in broiler breeders. Methods: After receiving a basal diet (containing 0.25% Met) for a 2-wk pretreatment period, a total of 360 39-wk-old Lingnan yellow broiler breeders were randomly allocated to four treatments with six replicates each (15 birds per replicate). Breeders were fed with basal diets (control) or diets supplemented with DL-methionine (DLM), DL-2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butytric calcium (MHA-Ca) and coated DL-Met (CME) respectively. Results: The results showed that CME supplementation promoted laying rate and decreased feed-to-egg ratio (F/E) (p<0.05), DLM and MHA-Ca supplementation decreased F/E (p<0.05) when compared with control group. The rate of fertility, hatchability and birthrate were higher (p<0.05) in DLM, MHA-Ca, and CME groups than control group. Compared with control group, CME increased the eggshell thickness (p<0.05); MHA-Ca improved the eggshell thickness, shell ratio and eggshell strength (p<0.05). Results also showed that CME elevated the concentration of total protein in serum (p<0.05); MHA-Ca improved the concentration of calcium in serum (p<0.05). The concentration of serum uric acid in DLM, MHA-Ca, and CME groups was lower than that in control group (p<0.05). Besides, CME had higher concentrations of serum taurine, cysteine and cystanthionine (p<0.05) while MHA-Ca and DLM promoted the serum taurine concentration (p<0.05) compared with control group. Conclusion: Based on the results, it was concluded that Met supplementation could enhance the production and reproduction performance as well as the antioxidant status and egg quality of broiler breeders. In terms of improving the production performance, reproduction performance and antioxidant performance, CME was superior to DLM and MHA-Ca; but in regard to the enhancement of eggshell quality and serum Ca concentration, MHA-Ca was superior to DLM and CME.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2014

The avian embryos have been used as a good model to study embryonic development. Due to its unique development in the eggshell, avian embryos can be cultured and hatch in the surrogate eggshell system. In this study, we examined the viability, normal development and hatchability of Korean Oge (KO) chicken embryos in White Leghorn (WL) surrogate eggshells. Donor KO embryos at 3-day and 4-day-old were transferred into recipient WL eggshells, incubated for further 18 days at $37.5^{\circ}C$ with 70% of humidity until hatching. The viability of 3-day-old KO embryos at 7, 14 and 21 day in surrogate eggshell were 70.0%, 43.8% and 23.1%, respectively. In contrast, the viability of 4-day-old KO embryos at 7, 14 and 21 day in surrogate eggshells were 87.1%, 55.6% and 36.0%, respectively. The hatchability of KO embryos transferred into surrogate eggshells at 3-day-old was 23.1%, whereas embryos transferred at 4-day-old was 36.0%. Furthermore, the development of all viable embryos from 3-day group and 4-day group were normal. Our results suggested that culture of KO embryos in WL surrogate eggshells is highly possible, and transfer of donor embryos at 4-day-old may yield higher percentage of hatchability. This study may provide potential knowledge for the conservation of wild and endangered birds through surrogate system.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.771-777
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• 1999

The structural function of three egg membrane layers and cuticle layer, and the effectiveness of 5 film coatings (chitosan, starch, gelatin, dextrin, mineral oil) on the prevention of Salmonella enteritidis penetration was investigated using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Diameters of outer membrane fibers, inner membrane fibers and limiting membrane particles in eggshell were $1.5{\sim}7.2$, $0.8{\sim}2.0$ and $0.1{\sim}1.4\;{\mu}m$, respectively and average thicknesses were 10.0, 3.5, $3.6\;{\mu}m$, respectively. Average thickness of cuticle layer was $6.0\;{\mu}m$ and cuticle layer covered $40{\sim}80%$ of total eggshell surface. Average coating films thickness for chitosan, starch, gelatin, dextrin and mineral oil were 2.2, 2.5, 3.9, 3.6 and $5.0\;{\mu}m$, respectively. After immersion process eggshell surface was almost completely covered by coating films. Chitosan coating was most effective among 5 film coatings in inhibiting growth of Salmonella enteritidis. Penetration process of Salmonella enteritidis through eggshell was investigated by multicolor imaging using CSLM and plate counting. Cuticle layer was the most important structure in blocking the penetration. Among 5 film coatings, chitosan showed the best and similar effectiveness with cuticle layer.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2002

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin C supplementation on the performance and egg quality of layers. A total of 800 ISA Brown layers of 71 weeks old were assigned to one of the following diets containing 0, 3, 10, 50 or 100 ppm LG-vitamin C, 100ppm free ascorbic acid, 100 ppm Rovimix stay C-35 or 50 ppm LG-vitamin C supplemented with 100 ppm Zn methionine chelate. The feeding trial was conducted for flour weeks during the period of May to June when the average ambient temperature was $23.8^{\circ}C$ (5 :00 PM). Each treatment was replicated five times with 20 birds housed in 2 birds cage units. Vitamin C supplementation did not improve the overall performances (egg Production and egg Quality). Birds fed 100 ppm of LG vitamin C had the lowest egg Production while birds fed 100 ppm of Rovimix-35 had the lowest egg weight among birds fed different sources of vitamin C. Although supplementation of vitamin C over 50 ppm increased soft and broken egg Production, supplementation of 10 ppm LG vitamin C showed lowest soft and broken egg Production among all treatments. E99she11 thickness was highest in the treatment of 50 ppm LG vitamin C. In conclusion, supplementation of vitamin C at the level of 3 ~ 100 ppm did not significantly influence the laying performance and eggshell quality of laying hens under normal ambient(20 ~$26^{\circ}C$ ) condition.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2002

This study was conducted to Provide basic information Promoting egg qualify improvement and hygienic control by grasping of present market egg distribution system and hygienic quality. The eggs of 57 brands collected from the department food stores in Incheon Metropolitan City were examined. Eggs were kept in room temperature in all the market and 70.2% of the brands were marked the expiration date indicating that eggs would be available over 28 days after being laid. Fifty-four % of the market eggs was classified as a special or functional egg. Expiration date and date of laying were common labelling items in all brands. These items were labelled in trade mark sheet or eggs tray. Only 66.6% of the brands had the mark about net quantity of contents. The inspection about the exterior and contents of eggs has results as follows: eggshell contamination of feces and feather-9.5%, abnormal and broken eggshell -3.9%, blood and meat spots in contents -14.7% and watery whites -1.8%. Average of Haugh Unit(HU) was 56.1 and below HU 31 were 18 of 285 eggs(6.3%), in addition, more than one egg detected in 12 brands(21.1%) among 57 brands have inferior quality. Salmonella enteritidis from eggshell and antibodies directed from S. enteritidis in the yolks of eggs available in the market were not detected. Ranges of Total bacterial count (CFU/ml) on eggshell of eggs were < 10~8.2$\times$10$_3$, and isolation ratio of Escherichia coli were 4.7%. Tetracyclines were detected in 1.8% of the eggs(1 of57 brands) by CHARMII. As mentioned above, quality control and improving distribution system were required to facilitate egg consumption and improve public health by complementing labelling items and quality standards.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1458-1463
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• 2016

A 42-d study with 384 Hy-line brown laying hens was conducted to assess the effects of dietary octacosanol supplementation on laying performance, egg quality and blood metabolites of laying hens. Hens were randomly allocated into 4 dietary groups of 8 cages each, which were fed basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control), 9 (OCT9), 18 (OCT18), and 27 (OCT27) mg/kg diet of octacosanol isolated from rice bran, respectively. The experiment was conducted in an environmental controlled house and hens were fed twice daily for ad libitum intake. Laying performance was determined over the 42-d period, and egg quality as well as blood metabolites were estimated on d 21 and d 42. Diets in OCT18 and OCT27 increased (p<0.05) laying rate, egg weight, egg mass, egg albumen height, Haugh unit and eggshell strength on d 42, but decreased (p<0.05) feed conversion rate and levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum as compared to those of Control. Feed intake, yolk color, yolk diameter, eggshell thickness and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were similar (p>0.05) among treatments. Results demonstrate that supplementing 18 to 27 mg/kg diet of rice bran octacosanol can improve laying rate and egg quality and reduce blood lipid of laying hens.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.17-27
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• 2006

The effects of dietary betaine on performance, blood compositions, hepatic amino acid concentrations and hormonal secretions were examined in laying hens. Egg production was significantly higher in birds fed the 16.5 % protein diet compared to those fed 14.5 % protein diet(p<0.05), whereas dietary supplementation of betaine did not show any significant effect. The high level of protein and betaine supplementation significantly improved egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion(p<0.05), while eggshell breaking strength, eggshell thickness and Haugh unit were not influenced by betaine and dietary protein levels. Supplemental betaine did not affect serum total protein, albumin and BUN concentration. However, uric acid concentration significantly increased in 600 ppm betaine-fed groups(p<0.05). Concentrations of most hepatic amino acid were influenced by increased protein feeding and dietary betaine supplementation. Hormone studies recorded significantly higher serum and hepatocyte IGF-I concentration in 600 and 1,200 ppm betaine treatments(p<0.05) compared to those of control group. IGF-I mRNA gene expression of hepatocytes revealed statistically correlated increase in 600 and 1,200 ppm betaine-fed groups compared to the controls(p<0.05). Serum IGFBP-3 concentration was significantly elevated in 600 ppm betaine treatments. However, the secretion of IGFBP-1 in hepatocyte of laying hens fed with 600 and 1,200 ppm of betaine showed a significant decrease compared to the control group(p<0.05). Results of these study show that dietary betaine supplementation affects protein and hormone metabolism in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 1998

The effects of dietary levels and feeding period of Korean hot pepper (Capsicum annum) seed on the performance and egg quality were investigated. Rhode Island Red layers of 84 wk of age were fed the experimental diets containing O.O(Control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0% of HPS, respectively, in individual cages during 10 wk of the feeding period. The dietary hot pepper seed significantly(P<0.05) improved hen-day egg production and daily egg rnass, but reduced egg weight(P<0.05). During the 10 wk of the feeding period, the egg production and daily egg mass improved after 6 or 7 wk of feeding 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0% hot pepper seed diets. When the layers were fed the 3.0% HPS diet, it only took 1 wk to improve the egg production and daily egg mass. In addition, the birds fed 3.0% hot pepper seed diet showed relatively constant egg weight while those of the Control increased gradually as the feeding period passed. The dietary hot pepper seed significantly improved the eggshell thickness, and redness and whole color of egg yolk. The results indicate that dietary hot pepper seed( $\geq$2.0%) may improve the egg production and egg shell thickness, and increase the redness of egg yolk in layers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1224-1229
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• 2003

The combined effects of washing, sanitization and coating of eggshell on the physical and microbiological quality during storage were evaluated at $4^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}C$. The interior qualities of the eggs were assessed by weight changes, yolk index, albumen index, Haugh unit value, and microbial contamination of egg shell and egg white during 30 days of storage in untreated, washed, or sanitized and mineral oil-coated eggs. The results suggest that these changes were faster in higher temperature ($30^{\circ}C$) than lower temperature ($4^{\circ}C$) storage, and washed eggs deteriorated faster than untreated eggs. The sanitized and coated eggs maintained the best quality during storage in all parameters measured. The shelf-life of washed, sanitized and coated eggs could be extended 4-5 fold compared to that of washed or untreated eggs.